Women’s leadership in international affairs: continuing the momentum

This article is part of a series on women, peace and security that The Strategist is publishing in recognition of International Women’s Day.

It’s been nearly 20 years since the UN Security Council adopted resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) on women, peace and security, and we would expect to see an increase in women leaders globally in the diplomacy and security. By all accounts, women are increasingly playing influential roles in the realms of international peace and security—reaffirmed by the very visible leadership of Julie Bishop and Marise Payne as ministers of the foreign affairs and defence portfolios in Australia, not to mention the prime minister of our close neighbour New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, whose leadership in the wake of the recent terror attacks in Christchurch attracted worldwide praise.